Machine for cutting web materials.



'PATENTBD MAR. 19, 1907. W. D. SKIDMORE.

NG WEB MATERIALS. APPLIOATION FILED APR.19.1906;

MACH-INE FOR CUTTI 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' ATTORNEYS 1HE Noknls PETERS co,y wAsHmcmN, D. c,

No. 847,838. PATENTED MAR.'I9,A1907,.

W. D. SKIDMORE.

MACHINE POR CUTTING WEB MATERIALS. APPLIUATION FILED 23.19.1906.

THE NoRnls PETERS 50,. vpxsumcroN, n. c.

' Nro/Mfrs' BVM/ra... l

PATENTED MAR. 19, 1.907.v

W. D.' SKIDMDRB. MACHINE TOR CUTTING WTB MATERIALS.

APPLICATION FILED APB..19. 1906.

W/TNESSES wwf) lill MAM 98 rms NoRRls ranks co., wJsmNorxm,y n. c.

WILLIAM D. SKIDMORE, OF PELHAM, NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING WEB MATERIALS.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Application led April 19,1906. Serial No. 312,652.

1'0 a/Z, whom. t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM D. SKID- MORE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pelham, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Machine for Cutting Web Materials, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a machine for cutting web materials, such as paper and woven fabrics, into various lengths.

An apparatus practically embodying the principles of my invention involves a feeding and tensioning mechanisml through which the web material is passed and by which it is fed to the cutting mechanism. This involves a carriage arranged to reciprocate along the line of movement of the aper or other stock and actuated by a pec iar cam device to move with and in the direction of the stock during the cutting operation. The cutting of the stock is effected by peculiarlyarranged ledger and shear blades mounted on the carriage, the latter blade being periodically advanced to cut by a 'tappet mechanism geared to work in time with the movements of the stock and carriage. From the knives the cut stock is received by a set of delivery-rolls which deliver it from the machine, and these rolls may also be made to crease the edges of the cut material so that each length will preserve its direction until clear of the machine, or, in other words, make room for the succeeding length.

The invention resides in certain features of construction and coperative organization of parts, which will be fully set forth hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims Reference'is to be had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, as an example, the preferred embodiment of my invention, in which drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation with parts of the rear side of the frame broken away to show the knife-carriage and knives in section and part of the far side of the frame broken away to show the adjustable gear-bracket. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the machine at the delivery end. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the machine, showing the feeding and tensioning rolls and also showing the knife-car-4 riage partly in horizontal section and part of the gear for driving it. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken through the knives and the immediately adjacent vbears on top of the feed-roll. point the stock passes forward in the machine parts of the carriage. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing one end of the knives and the adjacent arts. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical detaii) section showing parts of the gear for actuating the shearblade. Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section showing the means for mounting the carriage. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the feeding and tensioning means. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation showing the shaft carrying the presser-roller arms and the means for actuating the same. Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail of the drag which is applied to the shaft of the tappet for operating the shear-blades. Fig.

12 is a section on the line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a detail view showing one of the racks and sectors for operating the carriage. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail section showing the cam and rollers for operating the carriage-driving sectors and racks, one of which is shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail showing one pair of the delivery-rolls. Fig. 16 is a detail ol one of the springs pressing the knife-carriage. Fig. 17- is a plan view of the guide for the rack-bar actuating the carriage-driving sectors, the view showing said rack-bar in section. Fig. 18 is an outer side elevation of the said guide. Fig. 19 is a face view of a double cam which may be used for actuating the carriage in place of the single cam shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 20 is an edge view of said double cam.

The frame of the machine as here shown comprises a bed 25, with two parallel side `members 26 rising therefrom, the side members 26 sustaining the various operating parts, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The paper, woven fabric, or other web material or stock is carried in a roll 27, a fragment whereof is shown in Fig. 1, and passes from the roll to and over a spindle -28, which is rotatably mounted by bearings 29 at the upper rear side of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. From the spindle the stock passes downward under a pressure-roll 3() and upward around the rear side of a feedroll 31 and under a pressure-roll 32, which From this between two feed-rolls 33 and 34, which, as

`well as the rolls 30, 31, and 32, may, if desired, be faced with rubber or the like.

From the feed-rollers 33 and 34 the stock passes IOO IIO

downward to the knives and thence to the delivery devices, which will be hereinafter described.

The feed-roll 31 has its axle mounted. in the side frames 26,y while the pressure-rolls 30 and 32 are carried by rocker-arms 35. (See Figs. 1, 8, and 9.) Said rocker-arms are attached to a shaft 36, which is carried loosely in arms 37. Said arms are attached to ay shaft 38, mounted in the side frames 26, and to this shaft an arm 39 is secured, which eX- tends forward toward the center of the machine and to the end of which a tensionweight 40 is connected by a cord 41 or the like. Said weight 40 is located over the bed 25, and a treadle-lever 42 is arranged under the weight, so that the weight may be lifted and the tension on the cord 41 relaxed at will. This allows disengaging the pressurerolls 30 and 32 from the feed-roll 31 to facilitate adjusting the goods in the machine. The feed-roll 31 is positively driven through a gear 43, secured to the shaft of the feedrollV on the right hand of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. This gear is in mesh with a gear 44, carried on a stub-shaft 45, which shaft is mounted in an arm 46, adjustable around the center of the gear 43 and held at the desired. adjustment by means of a clampscrew 47 engaging the transverselydisposed slotted end 48 of the arm. The gear 44 is meshed with and driven from a gear 49, which is fastened on a shaft 50, mounted transversely in the side frames 26. Said shaft 50 carries at the opposite side of the machine a gear 51, (shown by broken lines in Fig. 1,) and this is meshedwith a gear 52, which is mounted on a stub-shaft carried b y one of the side frames 26. The gear 52 is driven by a gear 53, located on the driveshaft 54, which carries fast and loose pulleys 55 or other means for controlling the movement thereof In this manner it will be observed that the feed-roll 31 is driven in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. l, while the pressure-rolls 30 and 32 hold the goods firmly against the feed-roll, enabling the feed-roll to advance the goods steadily in the direction of the arrow applied thereto in Fig. 1. The two tensioning feeding-rolls 33 and 34 have their shafts geared together to cause them to work in unison, and the roll 34 is driven by a belt, (indicated by broken lines 56 in Fig. 1,) which belt passes from a pulley 57 on the shaft of the roll 31 around a pulley 58 on the shaft of the roll 34. The roller 33 is adjustable toward and from the roller 34 to apply the necessary pressure to the paper or other web material, and for maintaining the said roll 33 yieldingly engaged with the roll 34 l provide springs 33a, the tension of which is controlled by screws 33', both located in suitable cavities formed in the side frames 26 and the bearings of the roll 33 being allowed.

a slight transverse movement in the side frames, as will be understood..

The knife-carriage comprises two side members 59, which are disposed vertically, respectively, at the inner sides of the frames 26 and which have their edges slidably held by guides 60, secured to said frame members. The frame members 59 are, as shown best in Fig. 1, joined securely together by means of three transverse webs 61, 62, and 63, and between the webs 61 and 62 a vertical web 64 is located. The knife-carriage is arranged to reciprocate vertically, and the movements are so timed that the carriage and its knives will move with the goods during the cutting o eration. Said movement of the carriage is ei'ected by gearing, which will now be described.

Fastened to the web 64 are two racks 65, with which are meshed sectors 66, fastened to a transverse rock-shaft 67. This rockshaft carries outside of the frame a toothed sector 68, which is meshed with a rack 69, formed on the upper end of a. rod. 70. The rod 70, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1 and dotted lines in Fig. 2, extends vertically along the left-hand side of the machine and, as shown best in Figs. 17 and 18, is held in guide-bearings 71, carried by brackets 7 2, projecting out from the adjacent side frame 26, so that the rod is free to reciprocate vertically. The rod 70 carries at its lower portion, as shown in Figs. 2 and 14, a stud 73, on which rollers 74 and 75 are mounted. These rollers coact with the surfaces 76L and 76') of a rotary cam 76, which is secured on the beforementioned shaft 50. This cam is arranged to impart to the rod 7 0 a full reciprocation downward and upward for cach revolution of the cam, the downward motion being imparted by the surface 76L and the upward motion by the surface 76", thus by the rack 6) and seetor 68 rocking the shaft 67 and through the sector 66 and. racks 65 moving the carriage downward and. thence upward. .During this downward movement of the carriage the knives become active, as will hereimrfter fully appear. ln order to assist in the return of the carriage in its raised position and to hold the same yieldingly in such position, I provide the side members 5E) of the carriage with outwardly-projecting ears 77, which lit into openings 78 in the side frames 26, (see Figs. 1 and 16,) and to which ears pins 79 are. secured These pins project downward through the openings 78 and have their lower ends slidably fitted in sockets 80, formed in the side frames 26.

81 indicates springs which surround the pins 79 within the openings 78, and 82 indicates adjustable nuts for regulating the tension of these springs.

83 indicates the ledger-blzule, and this is shown best in. Figs. 1 and 4. Sai l. blade is low the feed-roller 34.

carried transversely between the side members 59 of the knife-frame by a bar 84,'which is pivoted to said side members on a pin indicated by broken lines 85 in Fig. 4.A This allows the adjustment of the ledger-blade' around the center of said pin 85, and for holding the knife the bar 84 is provided with ears 86, having slits therein, (indicated by broken lines at 87 in Fig. 4,) in which slots the clamp-screws 88 are received. The slots 87 are arranged in an arc concentric to the pin 85. Said bar 84, carrying the ledger-blade 83, also sustains a guide-plate 89, which projects upward from the bar immediately be- Coacting with the guide-plate 89 are two guides 90, which are secured to the side member 59 of the knifeframe opposite the guide 89 and directly under the roll 33. One of said guides is shown in Fig. 4, and these guides, with the guide 89, receive the paper or other material from the rolls 33 and 34, passing the same down past the ledger-blade to permit the shearblade to act thereon. The-shear-blade 91 is mounted on a bar 92, which is carried by a transverse pivot 93 in a slide 94. 95 indicates a spring engaging an ear 96, depending from the bar 92 and pressing said bar and the shear-blade 91 upward. 97 indicates a tongue which projects from the shear-blade in the plane thereof and bears on the ledgerblade to limit the upward movement of the shear-blade and insure the proper engagement of the blades as the shear-blademoves into operation. At the same time the mounting of the shear-blade as described insures that the blade has a steady upward pressure against the side of the ledger-blade. The said slide 94, as shown best in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, is mounted to move horizontally in guides 97, carried by the knife-carriage, and pivoted to the ledger-blade slide 94 are links 98, the outer ends of which are pivoted to arms 99, fastened to a rock-shaft 100. The rock-shaft is mounted transversely in the knife-frame and has secured thereto a finger 101. (Best shown in Fig. 1.) coacts with a tappet 102, secured to arotary shaft 103, mounted transversely in the side frames 26 and provided with a drag or brake 104 to prevent-idle motion. Secured to the shaft 103 is a gear 105, and this is in mesh with a gear 106, secured to a stub-shaft 107, carried by a bracket 108, which is mounted to swing around the center of the shaft and which has a slot 109 therein receiving a lock-bolt 110 for holding the bracket 108 at the desired adjustment. This gear 106 meshes with the before-d escribed gear 51 on the shaft 50 and takes its motion therefrom. The knife-carriage therefore reciprocating in a certain time and the shaft 103 rotating continuously, as they carriage drops the finger 101 is moved into the path of the tappet 102, and

This finger i .and 15.

the tappet running against the finger imparts a rocking motion to the shaft 100, and through the arms 99 the slide 94 is moved inward, carrying with it the shear-blade, which strokes 4under the ledger-blade, effecting the cut in the stock or web material. The tappet 102, having cleared thefinger 101, continues its rotation, andthe knife-carriage, with its attached parts, then ascends. For returning the shear-blade to its inactive position a spring 111 is provided, (see Fig. 1,) this spring being fastened to the lower web 63 of the knife-carriage and engaging an arm 112, secured to the shaft 100. This return of the shear-blade takes place the instant that the cutting stroke of the blade has been completed, and upon the return upward movement of the knife-carriage the two blades pass alongside of the uncut goods one at each side thereof ready to renew the operation as the carriage again descends.

Beneath the knives is arranged a stationary guide 114, adapted to have the goods passed at the left-hand side thereof, (see Fig. 4,) and opposite the guide 114 is a rockable guide 115, the same being mounted on a rockshaft 1 16, carried in the knife-frame, and the said guide 115 is pressed toward the guide 114 by a spring 117. 'The sheet thus cut from the bodyof the web ,material falls between the guides 114 115 and isvtaken up by rollers 118 and 119, which are located directly below the guides. of Fig. 4 and Fig. 2.) These rollers extend transversely between the side frames, and their shafts 1.18aL and 119a, as shown in Fig. 1, project through the left-hand side frame and 'carry gears 120 and 121, which arev meshed with each other to drive the rollers in unison. The shaft 118at carries a bandpulley 122, over which abelt is adapted to pass from a similar pulley 123, carried on the shaft of theroll 33, thus imparting to the roll 1'18 rotary motion which in turn is imparted to the roll 119 by the gears 120 and 121.

124 indicates springs and adjustingscrews.

From the rollers 118'and 119 the severed sheet passes to three or more pairs of deliveryrollers 125, which are shown best in Figs. 2

These rollers have beveled matching faces, as shown, and are carried on shafts 126, which are mounted on the side frames 26 and connected with'a train of gears 127 l from the gear 121.

In the operation of the machine the parts are set in 'motion from the drive-shaft 54, and

.proper instant the cam causes the knifeframe to descend, and the parts are so arranged that the instant that this takes A'place the tappet 102 will strike the finger IOO 10.1-, rock the' shaft 100, and move in the slide 94, causing. the shear-blade to act and the material to be severed, this operation taking place, it will be observed, during the downward movement of the carriage. The instant that the tappet 102 leaves the iinger 1 01 the spring 11`1 returns the shear-blade to its inactive position, and at this time the carriage returns to its upper position preparatory to a second' cut. The cut material passesV down through the guides 114 and 115 and is delivered from the machine by the rollers 118, 119, and 125' The peculiar beveled form of these rollers causes the sheets to take a curving or channel-like cross-sectional form', which gives stiffness tothe sheets and allows them to be projectedl from the in achine ina superimposed pile las contradistinguished from falling limp in a confused heap under the machine. Y

The single cam 76'` (shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 14) is arranged to move the knife-carriage once for each revolution of the shaft 50y and toV eut the web material in regular lengths, one length during each revolution of the shaft. The form of the cani may, however,

be changed to cause the operation to take place more or less frequently,` thus varying the lengths of the material cutfrom the web.

Following this, the double cani 7 6c (shownin Figs. 19 and 20) may be employed, which will Ibring about tworeciprocations of the carriage to each revolution ofthe shaft 50,

and consequently two cuts to each revolution of each shaft. When this change is made, a change in the ratio of the gears 51,

permit this toA be readily done I provide the swing-frame 1'08 and its appurtenant parts. After this change in the ratio of the gearing., the gear 105 should be removed from the shaft 103 and a similar gear (indicated the broken lines 105 in Fig. 1`) should be' placed on said shaft. Thebolt 110 should then be loosened and the frame 108 swung up to the position shown by brok-en linesin Fig. 1. This causes the gear 106l to roll with the gear 1053. This, it will be seen, will drive the shaft 103 faster proportionately to the increase in the number of' movements imparted to the knife-carriage owing to the change in the form of the cam.y The' rapidity at which the materialis fed into the machine may be regulated by controlling the ratio of the gears 4-3, 44, and 45. To do this, the gear 49 should be displaced; from the shaft 50 and a gear substituted, by means of which the desired change in the ratio of the gearing is effected'. Then by adjusting the arm 46 the gear 44 may be'caused to mesh properly with the gear which has been selected` for the shaft 50m place of the gear 49. After the desired adjustment of the arm Y shape that it may be more readily depositedthat is to say, as the paper passes betweenthe rolls it is bent in a plane lateral to its 'generali path of travel, and thus assumes a curvature which renders it comparatively stiff and easy to be fed out. i

`Having thus described the preferred forni of my invention, what l actually claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for cutting web material, the combination of a ledger-blade, means foi' adjustabl-y mounting the saine, a shearblade, a slide on which the saine is pivotally mounted, anda spring pressing the shearblade toward' the ledger-blade.

2. lIn a machine foifcutting web material, the combination of a ledger-blade, means for adjustabl-y mounting the same, a shearblade, a slide on which the same is pivotally vmounted, a spring pressing the shear-blade toward theAledger-bla'de, and a 'Iingei attached to the shear-blade and continuously engaged with the ledger-blade.

3. ln a machine forcutting web material, the combination of a means for feeding the l material, a knife-carriage, means for moving f the/same in unison with the said material, a ledger-blade mounted on the knife-carriage, fa shear-blade, a slide mounted on the earriage, and carrying the shear-blade, and j j r means for periodically actuating the same..

106, and 1`05willf also be necessary, and' to 4'. In a machine for cutting web material,

erating means, a rack in connection with the carriage, a toothed sector ineslied with the mack, a' shaft onv whichv the toothed sector is jcarried, a secondr toothed sector fastened to said shaft, a sliding rod having teeth thereon Aineshed with the second toothed sector, and a cam adapted to impart reciprocal motion to said rod.

around the gear 51 until it comes into mesh j 5. In a machine for handling web in ateiial,

i the combination of a feed-roll,piessure-rolls y engaged therewith, a yoke in connection with l the axes of said pressure-rolls, and means for exerting pressure against the yoke, for the purpose specified.

j 6. In a machine for handling web material,

the combination of a feed-roll, pressure-rolls engaged therewith, a yoke inconnection with the a-Xes of said pressure-rolls, and means for exerting.. pressure against the yoke, for the purpose specified, said means comprising a rocking arm in connection with the yoke, a second arm in connection with the rocking arm, and a weight joined to the second arm.

7. In a machine for handling web material,

- the combination of a feed-roll, pressure-rolls lOO 'llO

engaged therewith, a yoke in connection With the aXes of said pressure-rolls, a means for exerting pressure against the yoke, for the purposespeoiied, said means comprising a rocking arm in connection with the yoke, a second arm in connection with the rocking arm, a Weight joined to the second arm, and means for raising the Weight at Will.

8. In a machine for cutting Web material, the combination of a ledger-blade, a shearblade, a spring pressing said shear-blade to- Ward said ledger-blade, and mechanism including a tappet for periodically pressing against said spring.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 15 name to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM D. SKIDMORE.

Witnesses:

F. W. HANAFORD, JNO. M. RITTER. 

